Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin eyed for Batman role?

Ryan Gosling is reportedly being line up for a role as Batman in the next Superman film. Photo / AP

Holy sizzling speculation, Batman!

Ever since Warner Bros announced that comic superheroes Batman and Superman are set to meet on the big screen in director Zack Snyder's Man of Steel sequel, tongues have been wagging about who will play the Dark Knight.

What we do know: Christian Bale says he has hung up his cape and cowl for good. The actor recently denied speculation that he would play the masked hero again in a Justice League movie.

So who will play the Caped Crusader in Snyder's follow-up?

Per The Hollywood Reporter, there's a bevy of talent reportedly being touted as contenders to star alongside Henry Cavill's Superman.

While the website's report cautiously notes that "the script is still being written, so nothing has been submitted formally to reps and actors ... (and) director Zach Snyder is only just beginning to look at actors," it throws some high-profile names into the mix.

THR's sources believe that Gangster Squad co-stars Ryan Gosling, 32, and Josh Brolin, 46, are among a list of "top names surfacing at this stage" who are reportedly being sought to play Batman.

True Blood star Joe Manganiello, 36, is also said to be a contender, along with Matthew Goode, 35, of Watchmen fame. While The Hobbit's Richard Armitage, 41, and Pacific Rim star Max Martini, 43, are also reportedly names being thrown around for the new Batman.

British tabloid The Daily Star also recently claimed that Armitage has been linked to the Batman role "after impressing movie bosses in The Hobbit".

"Richard is in with a real shout," the tab quoted a source as saying.

"He is well liked and has the skills to portray the dark and light in the Wayne/Batman character."

According to THR, Brolin remains the "frontrunner" at this stage.

But wait, there's more ...

According to the website's "numerous sources", "this Wayne/Batman will be in the late 30s or around the 40 mark ... established and rugged" (in line with Frank Miller's classic comic book series The Dark Knight Returns). The sources also note that the sequel will reportedly not tell the character's origin story.

Website Batman On Film also recently claimed that Warner Bros is reportedly seeking a "grizzled" actor in his mid-40s to play Batman in the Man of Steel sequel.

"This new Batman will be a grizzled veteran who has been on the job, if you will, for several years," noted the report.

Meanwhile, Armie Hammer recently ruled himself out for the role.

"I'm not actually a big fan of superhero films," he told Metro. "If you have a guy who is supposed to be invulnerable, then what's the point?"

Hammer's next project will see him star alongside Henry Cavill in Guy Ritchie's The Man From UNCLE.

"I think if Henry and I did that film and then a superhero film straight after, people might start to wonder about us," he joked.

* "It's just such a great story and given his recent years, to come back from [cancer] and to whoop cancer's ass, and then do that?" - Matt Damon thinks his Behind the Candelabra co-star Michael Douglasdeserves an Emmy.